caviglia
/kaˈviʎ.ʎa/feminine
The Italian word for ankle is caviglia.
caviglia is the standard term used to refer to the joint between the foot and the leg.
Meaning: joint between foot and leg (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
caviglia is a feminine noun. To refer to more than one ankle, use the plural form caviglie.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /kaˈviʎ.ʎa/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, caviglia can also refer to a wooden peg or dowel used in carpentry. This usage comes from the word's original sense of a small pin or key.
- The Italian word caviglia is an etymological relative of the English word 'clavicle' used for the collarbone. Both derive from the Latin clāvis, meaning 'key'.
Examples in context
- La caviglia è rotta.The ankle is broken.This sentence is useful for describing a broken caviglia.Tatoeba #6800783 by Guybrush88, translation #6767510 by Eccles17
- Mi prude la caviglia.My ankle itches.This sentence is useful for expressing that your caviglia itches.Tatoeba #6770789 by Guybrush88, translation #6733257 by Eccles17
- Si ruppe la caviglia.He broke his ankle.This sentence is useful for stating that someone broke their caviglia.Tatoeba #7530476 by Guybrush88, translation #7384627 by CH
- Mi sono fatto male, ma è solo una cavigliata!I hurt myself, but it's just a slight ankle twist!
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are at the park after a walk.
- MartinaLorenzo, come stai? Sei molto lento oggi.Lorenzo, how are you? You are very slow today.
- LorenzoHo un dolore improvviso alla caviglia.I have a sudden pain in my ankle.
- MartinaTi sei fatto male mentre camminavi?Did you hurt yourself while walking?
- LorenzoSì, forse ho calpestato un sasso.Yes, maybe I stepped on a stone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ankle” translations and entries caviglia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caviglia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
